Shloka 3.43.39

मायामृगदर्शनम् (The Vision of the Illusory Deer)

Devanagari script

उत्थाय बहवो येन मृगयायां जनाधिपाः।निहताः परमेष्वासास्तस्माद्वध्यस्त्वयं मृगः।।।।

Transliteration

utthāya bahavo yena mṛgayāyāṃ janādhipāḥ | nihatāḥ parameṣvāsās tasmād vadhyas tv ayaṃ mṛgaḥ ||

Translation

Many kings—mighty archers—who set out on hunts were slain by him; therefore this ‘deer’ deserves to be killed.

Context

Many kings who were great archers who set out on hunting expedition were killed by him. Therefore, this animal deserves to be killed.

Characters & Entities

• kings (janādhipāḥ)
• parameṣvāsāḥ (great archers)
• mṛgayā (hunt)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma recognizes proportional response to persistent violence: one who repeatedly kills and terrorizes society forfeits protection, and restraining such a threat becomes a righteous obligation.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama cites Mārīca’s history of killing even powerful kings, concluding that the disguised creature should be slain.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Firmness in upholding order (rāja-dharma): Rama argues from public harm and precedent to justify decisive action.